Torbay Council is trying to defuse the uproar over its decision to end its beach hut management service by telling renters they can make an offer to buy their hut.

Around 200 renters were left upset and angry after receiving a letter telling them they had to buy a hut or leave at the end of this season.

And some were outraged at the difference in prices they were quoted to buy the rented timber huts. A 15-year-old hut at Goodrington Sands at Paignton was valued at £500, while a three-year-old one at Roundham was reported to be priced at £200.

Goodrington beach, Paignton

Around 100 of the renters met Torbay's Tory MP Kevin Foster in a seafront car park at Paignton on Saturday to tell him about their concerns, highlighted on Devon Live last week .

They said they were unhappy with the way the policy change had been handled, the pricing of the huts, and uncertainty over future rent costs.

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Mr Foster said after the meeting the council had done a partial U-turn by accepting offers and describing the policy as a right-to-buy. He said there were hints alternative arrangements might be possible for people who wanted to carry on renting.

He said: "Whilst most beach hut users own their hut and rent a pitch from Torbay Council, renting a hut provides an affordable way for many to benefit from this service. The Beach Hut service also operates at a profit, making the Council's move even harder to understand."

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The strategy was revealed last week after a review of the service by Torbay Council, which is looking for savings and fresh income as it copes with losing more than £20m of government funding over five years.

Lisa Smith with her letter from Torbay Council

One renter, Lisa Smith, of Paignton, said: "They are keen to sell all the huts off, but we don't know what the pitch fees will be for next year. Everybody is upset."

The council deals with around 1,000 beach huts across Torbay - just under 800 are privately owned and just under 200 are rented, including some available to holidaymakers for a weekly fee.

Last week's letter said renters would have to buy a hut or leave. From next year they would have to pay a fee for the site rental plus winter storage.